I donated my later father’s uniform set to the 95th BG museum in Horham. This included his original crush hat and his canvas flight bag. He was B-17 pilot completing 35 missions in 1944.
@davidkalbacker6033 my grandpa flew with your dad. Lt Col. McReynolds. April to August of 44, 95th BG 334th BS. Both of them piloted a plane called Able Mable during their 35 missions.
@davidkalbacker6033 no, but it is on my bucket list. i watched a video of a horham reunion from around 2005 i want to say and unexpectedly found a video of my grandpa that i had never seen before. Great to meet you as well sir, amazing what our father and grandfather went thru for us to be able to be where we are today.
Thank you sir for doing this. My grandfather was a B-17 pilot. He was killed in the Scheinfurt raid in October 1943. I hope to visit the bases in England someday along with viewing his name in the book behind the alter at St. Paul’s
You're most welocme. Do you know which BG your Grandfather served with? I'd be more than happy to advise you on planning any future trip to the UK so please let me know if I can be of any help!
All of your videos are outstanding. The best war history on RU-vid. Arguably the best channel on RU-vid. Thank you for sharing your compelling knowledge of WWII with all of us who now live in freedom and democracy… and those who will.
Thank you, that’s very kind of you to say so. I hope it provides a good insight into the equipment the men of the 8th USAAF used during their time in combat and how it’ll appear in Masters of the Air when it finally comes out! Thanks again for taking the time to watch!
I’m lucky enough to live quite near to Thorpe Abbots and I can honestly say that it’s the most amazing place. The volunteers do an incredible job, but more than that, if you’re lucky enough to ‘feel’ the history of a place, then get yourself up into the control tower and gaze out over where the runways once teamed with aircrew and bombers, now returned to agriculture - it’s magical.
I love Thorpe Abbott’s (I highly recommend their Century Coffee by the way) and the atmosphere there is something else. I grew up near Harrington which was home to the 801st/492nd BG flying clandestine B24 Liberators and that old airfield has a similar feel. If you listen carefully you can still hear those big radials turnings…
That airfield sentimental feel..truly captured in the opening scene in "Twelve O' Clock High, 1949, filmed at Eglin AFB), when Dean Jagger, as 918th former officer, returns to "Archbury" Field, England post-war. His character had found, and purchased the squadron ceramic namesake mug in a nearby village shop - an act that stirred him, memory, and desire to bike to the old field. He finds that agriculture, weeds overgrown, encroach the actual landing pavement. WHAT FOLLOWS IS MAGICAL (spoiler alert..) engines coughing, coming to life as he "returns to that time" of mission start-up, the ensuing camaraderie of his sqdn mates, thus, the narrative is propelled before the viewer...building on your precious insight here❤
Well done again, I think you've surpassed yourself with all the information you've accumulated, this must have taken you ages. You have really worked hard on this, total dedication. Thank you for all your effort.
Thank you! I just hope it helps provide some context as to why equipment changed or what was worn and why when the series is released as clearly they won’t be able to do that so hopefully it’s a useful guide! Thank you for watching 😃
Thank you. I once asked a B-17 bombardier from Missouri what his kit was when he was shot down over Germany in 1944. "We had whatever they gave us" was the answer. I appreciate this tour through the gear they gave him. And also, "Bill" would probably blush if he could see this video. He didn't think he was anything special. He was just doing his job so somebody else didn't have to and he could go home. About the crush hat. My Dad brought home the khaki one from his time in the Pacific along with his formal dress hat. He told me the regulation hat was issued with a celluloid band inside for proper shape and that flying officers took them out for comfort. It was against regulations but the look caught on and after a while everybody took them out and that became accepted except for dress uniforms. Well...that's his war story anyway. Cheers.
Thank you for sharing that! They were an incredible generation and I’m so grateful for Bill and your Father and all of their buddies for doing what they did. As for the crusher caps, it’s funny as the RAF did the same thing, although the hats are constructed differently the more crushed and bent out of the uniform shape the better they looked I think!
Thank you! I hope it helps explain how and why things were used and explains what we’ll be seeing when Masters of the Air finally hits our screens in January!
Very informative well done video , always enjoy watching it gives a better understanding of some of the equipment used by our airman keep them coming .
Thank you! I think it’s important to see how and why things changed through the 2 years the 100th were in combat as the series obviously won’t be able to explain it. It’ll just be really interesting to see how the series does cover the 2 years and I can’t wait to see the equipment used on the screen as there’s never been one film outside of wartime footage that got it 100% correct so I think Masters of the Air will be the closest we’ll get!
Very interesting presentation. My Dad (Clifton Durkee) piloted B-17's, and later, B-29's as they became available, and I was exposed to a ;lot of the stuff he had and used. He was an avid shutterbug, and brought copious quantities of photos home. Unfortunately, most of that stuff was "lost in the shuffle" of time. The stories he had he did bring home though, and I was always enthralled with them. The men and women who fought in that war, as well as the others, are forever my heros. God bless their souls.
My father was ground crew safety equipment RAF Bomber Command WW2. From 1940-43 he was based in England then from mid 1943-46 the Middle East . Thank you for your channel I remember seeing the Nae West and parachutes
Thank you for sharing that about your Father! The job the Safety Equipment fitters did was so vital and their role today continues keeping the aircrew equipment in serviceable condition!
Well-done! And it's obvious you take a lot of care to keep it right, and take pride in your collection! My dad served in the 8th in the 50s. Thank you!
Thank you! I treasure the items and I have several uniform groups from aircrew as well that I couldn't really show on the episode but they are all prized possesions given what those men did all those years ago.
Amazing content, fantastic job. As a ex- U.S. Naval Aircrewman (on P-3C Orion's 1990-1995) one of our test questions would be "What is the most effective signaling device in all of your gear?" and the answer would be the signal mirror. In my era we had sea dye markers, day/night smokes (same item which dispensed smoke on either end), pencil flares, PRC-90 radio, signal mirror as well as two beaded handles which when pulled inflates a lobe around your neck and then two other bladders on your sides which you would then clip together. I enjoyed seeing the earlier versions of some of these items and how similar they still are.
Thank you! It's amzing isnt it that in 80 odd years aircrew equipment hasn't really altered that much, it's just made better for the most part. I think the biggest development is the advent of the helmet mounted queing system that's sprung up in the past 15 years or so. Other than that everything else is sort of the same which is crazy to think how far it progressed from the first war to 1939, and from 39 to 45!
Thank you! I’d have love to have been an extra in Masters of the Air as lots of my friends were but sadly work got in the way so for me this is the next best thing! Thank you for watching 😃
Thank you that’s great to hear! Just nice to be able to share my passion for that time and the history associated with it! And I can’t wait to see it when Masters of the Air is finally released!!! Thanks again for watching
Excellent information as always! Lots of vital details about that equipment. Your passion for the subject clearly shows through. Visiting the tower museum at Bassingbourn years ago (home of the 91st Bomb Group), I got to try on a heavy flak jacket. Just a small piece of the bulky equipment those men wore, and I gained a whole new appreciation for what they endured. And then to have people shooting at you on top of all that!
Oh nice! I haven’t had the time sadly to visit Basignborn yet but it’s on the list for late next year. Those flak jackets are incredibly heavy aren’t they! Makes you wonder with all their other equipment how they made it around the aircraft just doing their assigned roles let alone trying to treat wounded buddies or fend off fighter attacks! They will always have my complete respect and admiration!
Thank you!! It’s a labour of love collecting it all. I have a range of uniform groupings as well from various Bomb groups that I’d like to do a video on at some point and tell the stories of the men they belonged to
My grandfather, CW Sellon, was a co-pilot in the 350th squadron of the 100th BG. I've got his uniform and two of the crusher caps, cloth maps, checklists and other items he used. Thanks for this video, it's so interesting to see everything.
Oh wow thank you for that! You must be so prou of your Granfathers service! Have you had his effects framed at all? I did that with my Grandfathers wartime medals and uniform items and I'm really glad i did.
@@WW2Wayfinder I have not, but that's a good idea. I move quite often and have been afraid to damage anything so I have it all in fireproof safes. I also have his footlocker and have a few things in that too.
Good job on the video, sir! Marvelous to have this info. in advance of the Masters of the Air series. Thanks to you and those who may have helped. Take care!
I like how „Masters of the air“ sparks the interest on details of topics i have been wondering about ever since i watched „Memphis Belle“ as a kid. Thank you so much for this detailed and nicely made video! I appreciate all the information and the passion that went into making it! Best wishes from Germany!
Absolutely awesome Jon, I’m new to this channel and have been watching it in the past few days, the content and presentation is brilliant, Master of the Air episode was outstanding. As ex RAF and been/served in many of the old bomber stations along the RAF A1, I full appreciate content and work gone into these presentations. Well done and thank you. Per Audra Ad Astra.
Thank you! Welcome to the channel! Many moons ago I spent time on JFH at Cottesmore and I love that part of England for the RAF history there. At some point I plan to document as many old airfields as i can as they are very special places. Thanks for watching.
It’s a wonderful place isn’t it! Must have been incredible to see it from the late 80’s to now. Every time I’ve been there it always feels very peaceful. Thanks for watching.
It is, I always try to imagine B17s out on the old runway when I stand looking out. My dad took me to Thorpe Abbotts years ago, I can remember looking at the photos of the aircrew, who were my age at the time I visited. It brought home the reality of war to me. It’s an amazing tribute to the men who served there. The 100ARW based at RAF Mildenhall, are now closely affiliated with the 100BG. They have even added the square D box to the tail fins of their KC135s. Some planes have also had nose art added to the tankers. I know they also visit Thorpe Abbotts, and are proud of their 100BG heritage
It's great isnÄT it how the modern USAF at Mildenhall pay such homage to the crews that went before them. It's easy to forget, but I love thatasa modern military unit they actively remember those who went before.
I’m retired after 25 years in. I currently about 5 miles from LRAFB, the main C-130 base for the Air Force. You’ll see them flying every day, sometimes 6 or 8 at a time in trail formation. I always imagine what it would have looked like to see 150 B-17’s flying towards their target. Quite a sight I reckon. I’ve flown in the Yankee Lady, a B-17 maintained by the Yankee Air Museum when they flew down here for an air show. Not a lot of room in those things.
That was terrific, thank you! My wife and I just watched the 1st 2 episodes of Masters of the Air and were wondering about the different pieces of equipment.
You're most welcome! Hopefully it helped add some background to what you saw on screen and I for one am amazed at the attention to detail the producers have gone to in terms of the equipment used in the filming, it's incredible to see!
Band of Brothers was superb and, IMO, Damian Lewis's best performance. Having read Donald L. Miller's book, I'm very much looking forward to this mini-series which should be an excellent tribute to these brave men. It's good to see that there are small, privately-funded museums on some of these old USAAF bases as permanent reminders of their sacrifice.
The museums in the UK are very special. Each has its own unique feel and it’s lovely to stand on the old airfields and soak up the atmosphere. For me Masters of the Air will be the defining wartime series as I think we’ll finally be able to see the magnitude of those daylight raids!
Some of those airfields have an unnerving atmosphere which is hardly surprising given the fatalities incurred on those places - Thorpe Abbotts is just one airfield which is said to be haunted. The daylight raids were slaughter in the skies above Occupied Europe. The courage of the USAAF (and Bomber Command) crews must never be forgotten. Thanks, Jon!@@WW2Wayfinder
Thank you! Always lots to learn but I really enjoy diving into the books and trying to find out more information and to be able to bring my collection to life is always fun!
Thank you and likewise! January the 26th is already marked on the calendar and I’ll be taking the day off work to really enjoy it as soon as it’s available!
I’ve got a few more lined up looking at the 100th plus several more ideas for episodes focusing on RAF/USAAF and Luftwaffe stories! Masters of the Air is going to be amazing and only 23 days to go!!!! Thanks for watching 😃
Thanks mate! I think Masters will be like nothing we’ve seen before and I’ve got the day booked off so I can watch it a couple of times! Roll on the 26th January!
Second time commenting! The B-17 gear show was great! I enjoy your knowledge and enthusiasm RE: WWll!! I visited Duxford in 2019 for D-Day 75, great history, and great American museum! Suggestion? Do a story on Duxford and it’s use in WWll and the movie Battle of Britain, along with the American Air Museum and the US Cemetery in Cambridge? Keep up the good work!🇺🇸
Lots planned for several episodes on a wide range of airfields so don’t worry Duxford will be one of them! Hope you had a great time when you visited as the airshows there and the museum collection are first class!
Oh nice! I love that part of the UK. Thorpe Abbott’s museum is amazing and the collection there is stunning. Debra and the team who run the museum do a wonderful job and I highly recommend their Century Coffee next time the museums open!
Like you Ive been looking fwd to MotA series for years hoping the stories are as good as the attention to details and points out Big Week, Schweinfurt and Berlin battles
From what I've seen it'll be quite the series. I'm excited for the 26th and I'll be eagelry awaiting every Friday until March to see the latest episode!
This was a very thorough, very detailed explanation of flight gear rarely discussed. Well done! Have you considered talking about the various handguns carried by American and British flight crews from the Second World War? I would find that quite interesting.
Thank you! I’d like to cover more firearm related content but due to RU-vid’s guidelines it can make my life quite tricky trying to navigate their policy and stay on the right side of their ‘law’ if that makes sense. In an ideal world I absolutely would but for now I just planning on sticking with the equipment type content.
Really interesting! I thoroughly recommend visiting Thorpe Abbotts too. I watched an old interview with a Spitfire pilot the other day. He was talking about life jackets. He said around the time of the Battle of Britain, RAF pilots preferred the German pilot’s life jackets, and often wore them if they could get their hands on one. He said they were more comfortable. The only downside being that the back of the neck was really high and rigid which meant you couldn’t turn your head around very easily when sat inside the cockpit of the plane. Something that he discovered during a dog fight over the Kent countryside!
Thorpe Abbotts is wonderful isn't it! Standing on top of that tower and looking out over the airfield is always an incredible experince let alone the amazing collection of 100th BG uniforms and artefacts there!
Thank you! This is my true passion when it comes to the war and I can’t wait for the 26th and the release of Masters Of The Air! Thanks again for taking the time to watch
The American airman actually received the British flight equiptment , C-type, helmets, goggles, chest/obserever type harness/parachute packs, 41pattern life vests, in a reversed land lease deal This was a deal with the Americans when they send their first air force squadrons to Britain. As you mentioned the Americans liked the British chest harness with quick release a lot, and started in 1944 to produce their own versions as the A3 harness. I have an original A3 and indeed a near copy of the British harness.
Thank you for the video! Very interesting. I loved Masters of the Air. Could you suggest any other WWII aviation films or series featuring period-accurate jackets and clothing?
The RAF were bombing Germany long before the USA even entered WW2..in fact the first 1000 bomber raid was RAF not as Hollywood would have us all to believe by the USAF...
It has always bewildered me how the downed pilots kept their officer's hats even after bailing out of their planes. You'll see them as POWs wearing their caps as well as other uniform/gear that would have been lost when they jumped out of the plane.
A lot of them had them stuffed into their jackets or under their Mae wests. Also lots of images of gunners with their service boots tied to their parachute harness so if they had to bale out and survived they could ditch the heavy leather and rubber sheep lined flying boots and wear their normal issued footwear. Although not sure how safe it would be having them tied on to your harness was, but at that point if they needed to bake out I can’t image they’d have cared!
Brilliant Wayfinder, NO, Much better than brilliant ? I forwarded this to the CAF in Texas on their page. That is 20 years of history and knowledge, condensed and explained. I can see the Masters of the Air prop manager sweating !
Thank you! Hope it helps when the series comes out and it provides a bit of insight into why things will change as the episodes progress! I’m really excited to see just how the do show that change in equipment as the years progress from 43 to 45!
@@WW2Wayfinder Well CAF Liked my post to them, I am a Brit in Texas and follow CAF. I doubt that the film prop manager had this level of detail and all is now filmed. I follow your journeys and exploits. Mark Felton looking over his shoulder !
Very cool US Army Air Corps Roundel on your hoodie, I might add...Wonderful book...I would hope this film is as good as 12 O' Clock High...Splendid video, FRAGMENTATION...
Thank you! The hoodie is from The Warbird Coffee Company (the link is in the video description). From all the trailers I've seen of Masters its shaping up to be a good one!
Five Great Uncles and a Grandfather ALL bombers guys, 8th,15th and 7th AF. My grandfather finally gave up the ghost at 99. The last member of Lefty’s Wolfpack. Thank you for sharing this info, fascinating.
Oh wow! Incredible they all served on bombers! I just searched for Lefty's Wolfpack as I'd not heard of them before so I'll definitley read up on those guys.Do you know what units in the 8th and 15th your Uncles served with?
Excellent information, thank you very much. Fantastic research and detail. Would be helpful however to explain how the crusher cap originated. It certainly is symbolic of aircrew, who removed the shaping grommet from inside to better fit under headphones. Unique to Air Force flight crews, and frowned upon by groundpounders. Sadly, the current US Army issues these to all members, diminishing the significance of those who wore them.
In the fifties I and my two brothers all had B-10 jackets from the local Army & Navy store and other items like green wool head pullovers, or balaclavas, and GI wool gloves. We also had a couple of GE signal mirrors like the one you show that we played with besides the ‘bring backs’ like German helmets and holsters, I remember the Nambu holster, in particular, as it had a rattan type finish to the top flap. One kid had flying goggles like the ones shown with the Type C flying helmet and he wore them everywhere. My dad, being in aviation during the war, had a Colt 1911 and shoulder holster that was carried on the Tokyo Raid. As I had mentioned, in an earlier youtube, the quick releases and parachute harnesses used by the RAF were actually manufactured in Buffalo, NY by the Irving Air Chute Company. Sadly, we didn’t get them to our own people until later in ’44 and unfortunately some guys drown because of it. The Luftwaffe had them as well. I have three examples of the Luftwaffe versions which were basically identical. Good job, thanks.
My Father a 449th Bombardment Group B24 Navigator had all his Unforms custom made by a Friend of the Family John Di Tullio a very talented Tailor. Had a complete set made while home on leave before deploying to Italy in 1943. John used the best fabrics he could source and did not charge him a dime, although my Dad had an allowance to pay for them. They were all shipped home when my Father was shot down in January 44. John considered it a privilege to outfit my Dad and was at my Father's coming home party after he was liberated, hospitalized and returned to the States in June 45 Had another set made by a Scottish Tailor while hospitalized in England after liberation. He was 5'9" and only 118 lbs. when liberated. As soon as he gained enough weight to pass a Flight Physical, he was flown back to the States. My Father delayed his 90 day POW uncharged leave to rejoin his Group at the request of the Group Commander and train on the B29 to deploy to the Pacific. Just a regular Guy doing a job for His Country! He did like to dress nice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
What an amzing man, thank you for sharing your Father's story! You must be so proud of him! And I've always been a huge fan of the style they had back in the 1940's, something we could do with again today!
In fact, I believe flying the B-17 and B-24 was a strenuous experience because of the fact you flew in an unpressurized cabin with temperatures often well below 0° C. at altitudes over 23,000 feet. This contrasts quite a bit with B-29 crews, who before they switched to low-altitude bombing flew in a pressurized cabin with much more modern flight suits at altitudes as high as 30,000 feet.
Very much so and that was responsible for a lot of the illnesses suffered by the men as those altitudes and temps are such a savage environment, before even the flak and fighters!
Nice presentation! I have a high quality A2-style jacket with a modern improvement: Thinsulate lining. It looks just like the WWII jackets but is quite a bit warmer.
Thank you! That’s definitely a must with an A2, otherwise they’re only good for a few weeks in the Spring time and early Autumn! Thank you for watching!
My A-2 Jacket was issued to me by the Air Force during my service. It is adorned with 8Th AF leather patch, Leather patch of the 324th, and a leather name board. I call it my baseball, as I would have famous aviators of WWII sign the inside of my jacket. Most of these gentlemen have now past away. It is my most prized item in my militaria collection.
Wonderful! They're such an iconic piece of clothing arent they. I love mine and wear it every chance I get. Amazing to have yours signed! Thanks for watching.
My A-2 Jacket includes both American and German Pilots. Unfortunately none from Japan. It is also sad to say that most of these great airmen have past away. I have been collecting for about 35 years. Thanks for your program! @@WW2Wayfinder
This is certainly close to my heart, excellent job as always. I admit I'm not sure if I'm looking forward to the "Masters of the Air" or not, the few trailers I've seen make me wonder why I see 332nd FG Mustangs, a 15th AF group based in Italy mixed in with 8th AF B-17s based out of England. I hope I'm wrong and that the producers aren't going to do something stupid just to put a modern twist on history. I guess we'll have to wait and see.
The 332nd FG will fit in with the Operation Frantic missions the 100th BG we’re involved with. It also ties in with the last few episodes when men of the 100th are liberated from Stalag VIIA at Moosburg so don’t worry it all fits in and is accurate. I was lucky to get a lot of inside info from those working on the project 😉
One of the characters covered in 2nd Lt. Robert Daniels, who was shot down over Marsailles, France in 1944 while attacking a radar unit. He ends up in the POW camp with the crew from the 100th BG. Also in the trailer, you'll see them in P-40s and standing in front of a map of Italy. The writer, John Orloff, said it'll make sense and not to worry.
Great video , well done. Surprised however you didn't feature the B3 jacket which will be featuring quite heavily in the series. Also Eastman din't supply all the flight jackets for the production, Aero Leather also supplied a number of jackets including the early "white" B3 worn by Major John Egan. ( Callum Turners character.
Thanks for watching, on the jackets themselves, I don’t have a B3 which I did clearly state and I did show plenty of footage of crews from the 91st wearing them so much past that there wasn’t a better alternative. I plan on ordering a B3 but torn on which to get! And I’m aware that Aero Leather Clothing did make jackets for the show as well but I don’t own any of their jackets yet - I’m in the process of ordering one so it wouldn’t have been appropriate or helpful to discuss a company without some means of backing up what I’m saying as there was already a lot of info to get across as it was. I
I have my Great Uncle’s jacket with squadron patch from the 427th BS 303 BG out of Molesworth. I have a pic of him and his crew in front of his B17G. It’s in fantastic condition.
@@WW2WayfinderThe memorial the 303 at Molesworth is superb. Last time I visited US MP’s came and asked what I was doing. But when I told them I was taking photos of the memorial they were great and stayed for a chat
Extremely informative presentation! Would greatly appreciate your thoughts: how common was back art on the A-2 jacket by pilots and when done did it reflect the nose art of their plane or some other theme? Thank you
Thank you! From what I’ve seen most didn’t decorate their jackets. Those that did would typically represent their aircraft though. Many, it they did anything, would have a Squadron or Group patch painted or seen on to the front.
I hope so too. I hope it doesn't show them as incomponent or lacking by comparision to the USAAF. There is a film called a 'A Memory Owed' all about Bomber command which is due for release this year I think which looks to be very good.
My grandfather was general Leslie Groves he said that He is and was an army All the way but B-17 was army airforce but he said that they had worse mortality rate than the marines he said that there blood should be bottled he always told me that they look death in the face nearly everyday He was so impressed with these guys
Oh wow! What an amzing family history! Thank you so much for sharing that and taking the time to watch my video! Wonderful to know how he respected the bomber crews and their role in the war. Thanks again, thats made my day!
@@WW2Wayfinder if you ever want anything from me about my grandfather I have All his diarys and most of his correspondence I that's not in the Smithsonian I'm impressed with your video ive never ever done this before but I am so glad that it made your day anytime
Likewise! The book is excellent and now hoping the series doesn’t have too many cliches and really shows the brutality of the air war and what those young men had to endure.
I do! The only one I’m yet to get is the Dora as I’ve heard it needs a major overhaul. I also have the iL2 Great Battles series as I grew up with the iL2 series back in the 90’s and had to jump back into it when I got my new rig.
@@WW2Wayfinder Oh that's a Awesome Sim too. I love the maps in IL2. Looking Forward to MicroProse The Mighty Eighth VR coming out I bet you are to 😀I loved playing that on my old Micro Center 286 xl in Dos back in the day.
To show pilots and copilots cruising at altitude wearing crush caps and A-2 jackets is not only inaccurate, it's laughable. My father was a B-24 pilot in the 15th, 30 missons plus Lone Wolf sorties. The cabins weren't pressurized, the temps down to fifty below. Many crew members got frostbite, lost toes and fingers to the icy conditions. They covered any speck of flesh they could from the elements. Pilots, least on my dad's plane, wore thick parkas over all the other layered cold weather gear. Not very stylish or cinematic, but vital to stay alive.
From all the trailers I've seen 99% of the shots show them wearing B6 helmets and B3 jackets, A3 trousers etc. There are some scenes that show them coming into Iceland for example with the pilots wearing crusher caps and B3's but the rest of the crews in the colder parts of the aircraft are fully kitted out
Absolutely correct. At 28,000 ft, it's minus 40F or colder on a warm summer day, and nobody wore crusher caps at that altitude unless they wanted their frozen ears to fall off. That's for the movies. A B6 with headphones and a flak helmet was more like it.
Yep. My father was 6'4" and the flak helmet, when he pressed back against his seat to hunker down over the bomb run, would creep down over his forehead and block his sight. So he took it off during those harrowing seconds and prayed, scared shitless. Despite the tension his copilot would crack up.@@pete1342
Thanks for the presentation. At minus forty the Fahrenheit and Celsius temperature scales meet--but minute forty is life threatening however you slice it. Flying at altitude was one of several measures used to protect aircraft and aircrew from antiaircraft fire. This video was interesting to me because I gave two WW2 history lectures at the Hill Aerospace Museum in Utah, USA--the first was Aircrew Survival and Training and the second was Airbase Defense. Looks as if I'll have to supplement my "12 O'Clock High" habit with "Masters of the Air." For political reasons America's Bomber Mafia had to discredit the effects of fighter-interceptor aviation and anti-aircraft artillery. I'm avoiding the German term FLAK because globally ack-ack had several names--postwar it all became flak. One defense against ack-ack was bombing undefended targets. It always takes time to crew the cannons, so arriving unexpected and undetected over targets was another defense--Curtiss LeMay used this when he burned Tokyo to the ground in March 1945. Then there was flying high--requiring protection from frigid temperatures, breathing oxygen, and supercharged engines. Engines have to breathe, too! Even at extreme altitudes enemy anti-aircraft fire could reach out and touch the bombers, it just took thousands of shells to down a bomber. Anti-aircraft fire's main effect was reducing bombing accuracy. It was nice to get bomber and crew back home--those fly boys were a small fraction of available manpower, the fraction that could be trained in the sciences and arts of getting bombs on target, and air forces wanted them back after every mission. Airplanes sprouted armor plate and puncture-resistant fuel tanks to protect vital aircraft systems--and keep the crew from being punctured, too. First aid kits hopefully patched up injured crew so that these men could be used again in the future. To prevent the crew from getting injured personal armor was added to aircraft armor. When the aircraft were unable to make it all the way back to base, the air crew had equipment and supplies to return them to Earth's surface with a minimum of breakage, to keep them afloat on the 70% of Earth's surface that is liquid, and to stay alive until rescued by a vast network. Part of my lecture on aircrew survival was the mystery of how American fliers got from occupied France to Portugal through neutral but Axis-aligned Spain. I covered the gold barter kits--and was able to impress even the few WW2 vets in my audience. There is no way to cover ALL of the clothing and equipment worn by USAAF bomber crews operating over Europe because there was a lot of it, evolving as experience demonstrated what worked and what didn't. One item carried in USAAF survival kits over Europe was a package of photographs of the individual airman. MI-9 found that it was far easier to forge identity documents if the downed aviator had passport-sized photos of himself because camera equipment and film were restricted items in Germany and in occupied Europe--cameras were more dangerous to the Germans than were guns. Speaking of guns, American air crew were instructed to surrender to Luftwaffe personnel when necessary because being captured by an unarmed civilian mob was hazardous to one's health. Understandable--nobody likes having bombs dropped on them. I know from personal experience during the Cuban Missile Crisis what it's like to sleep in fallout shelters. I've experienced multi-ton explosions at a mile or two distance (demolition pits) and what a few pounds of explosives at ten meters feels like when I was on the other side of a barricade. Surviving the mob long enough to get rescued by German soldiers was the purpose of the pilot's pistol and seven to twenty-one caliber .45 cartridges--not for fighting off an infantry squad. I'm bragging to you because I really like your presentation and I am guessing that if you know my knowledge on World War Two, you can appreciate praise that much more. I don't know everything, and my goal is learning new things every day. Thanks--you showed me new things.
Thank you! Your lectures sound fantastic and I'd have been sitting on the front row for both! Regarding the surrendering to Luftwaffe perosnnel I can add to that from the account of an airman from Bomber Command who was shot down and the Luftwaffe guards saved his life from an angry mob after stopping at a German town while on the way to his POW camp. the townsfolk were ready to lynch him but the guards shielded the RAF POWs and kept the mob away at gun point!
My favorite movie is Twelve O’clock High. But, because I been to both the midlands in England, and Florida- I can tell now where the movie was filmed🤣 Fun fact: My mother was stationed at Elgin AFB where the movie was filled back in the very early 1960s.
The first time I saw it I couldn’t quite make out where it was filmed but then years later realised it was in the US. Still perfectly captures the atmosphere of it all and I have a pair of Robin Hood jugs made by a company that recreated them under license from the film! I think Peck plays his part magnificently as well as the rest of cast. Definitely a classic that is always a great watch!
@@WW2Wayfinder Fun fact: The only reason why those B-17s was still in existence and fly able- the were used in nuclear tests. …and they were all a little bit radioactive 😲🤣
